Khmer Morning News

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Court Calls for Briefs in Ieng Sary Hearing

The Khmer Rouge tribunal made a public appeal Wednesday for voluntary briefs ahead of a hearing to determine whether jailed leader Ieng Sary should be held ahead of his atrocity crimes trial.

The call for “friend of the court” documentation from those outside the litigation follows Ieng Sary’s hospitalization Monday.

His lawyers said poor conditions in tribunal detention led to a urinary tract infection and have renewed calls for him to be held under house arrest ahead of his trial.

Legal expert Hisham Mousar, who monitors the tribunal for the rights group Adhoc, said the group will not file a new brief unless Ieng Sary’s appeal for release differs greatly from that of Kaing Khek Iev, alias Duch, who was denied pre-trial release at a hearing in November.

“Ieng Sary’s case could be a new reason for us to respond,” he said.

“With regard to whether to continue detaining the accused, I will not oppose if there is a good reason,” he said.

Tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath said Ieng Sary remained hospitalized Wednesday but did not elaborate on his condition.